Bullish Graham Rowntree insists he has "absolute belief" that the work that has been done with Munster's players since he became head coach in the summer will come to fruition.
The Reds are reeling after losing their opening two URC fixtures away to Cardiff Blues and the Dragons.
And after pulling no punches with his criticism of the display after Sunday's loss to the Dragons, the province's former forward coach expressed confidence after training this afternoon that the ship will be steadied.
"I have absolute belief in the body of work we have gone through this summer. We worked exceptionally hard, trained well," Rowntree said.
"I've been around a bit and have seen a lot of pre-seasons, a lot of training environments and I have absolute belief in what we've done and that it's going to come out in the game.
"As I keep saying, it's stuff that we can control and we have to be better. So we've addressed that this week."
Munster have Zebre next up at Musgrave Park and are expected to be without Keith Earls, who didn't train today. Peter O'Mahony is also a doubt.
The Reds made 13 handling errors against the Dragons in a poor display and Rowntree was asked about Donncha O'Callaghan's criticism of the province's non-internationals on the day, when he insisted it was time that they stepped up and showed leadership.
“I’m not going to comment on other people’s views of our game but he’s entitled to his views," said Rowntree.
"I’ll give you my thoughts on the game as I did Sunday, how about that?
"I gave you my thoughts when I spoke about the game on Sunday night, about those controllables from us weren’t where they need to be. We’ve addressed that this week.”
Quizzed on the reaction within the set-up to the defeat, Rowntree conceded: “Yeah, not good. I’m not going to shy away from that. I certainly didn’t and the players haven’t.
"We’ve addressed it. We had a long journey home, a quick few hours at home with the family on Monday and back in on Tuesday fixing it, looking at it, being honest.
“It was a very honest review and we move forward.”
The breakdown has been another problem area for Munster, particularly in the opening loss in Cardiff.
"It's not the result of a new attacking framework, it's the result of reactions from individuals," argued Rowntree.
"Individual responsibility, that comes from the ball carrier and the guys' reaction to that, and it's got to be better.
"The pictures are undeniable. The breakdown is the heartbeat of the game and it's got to be better, it has received a lot of attention this week."
And Zebre, is it a must-win game so early in the season?
Rowntree replied: "Which game isn't a must-win game? The next game is always a must-win game, that's the nature of the sport.
"I don't mean to be flippant but they're all must-win games in this League.
“We certainly can’t play too loosely against them but it’s another chance for us to right our wrongs. We’ve had a disappointing start to the season, I’m not going to shy way from that."
Nevertheless he is confident that the Reds' failings are fixable.
"Yes, very, particularly last week's game in terms of our accuracy, decision-making and our discipline," said the 51-year-old.
"I mentioned accuracy, it's making the right decisions under pressure, sticking to the plan that we spoke about.
"Yes, it's very much in our control so that's what we've addressed this week."
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